Aflatoxin is one of the most potent carcinogens known to man and has been linked to a wide variety of human health problems. The FDA has established maximum allowable levels of total aflatoxin in food commodities at 20 parts per billion. The maximum level for milk products is even lower at 0.5 parts per billion. Primarily Aspergillus species fungi produce aflatoxin.

Ochratoxin

Ochratoxin is primarily produced by species of Penicillim and Aspergillus. Ochratoxin is damaging to the kidneys and liver and is also a suspected carcinogen. There is also evidence that it impairs the immune system.

T-2 Toxin

T-2 Toxin is trichothecene produced by species of Fusarium and is one of the more deadly toxins. If ingested in sufficient quantity, T-2 toxin can severely damage the entire digestive tract and cause rapid death due to internal hemorrhage. T-2 has been implicated in the human diseases alimentary toxi aleukia and pulmonary hemosiderosis. Damage caused by T-2 toxin is often permanent.

Fumonisin

Fumonisin is a toxin associated with species of Fusarium. Fumonisisn is commonly found in corn and corn-based products, with recent outbreaks of veterinary mycotoxicosis occurring in Arizona, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. The animals most affected were horses and swine, resulting in dozens of deaths. Fumonisin toxin causes “crazy horse disease”, or leukoencephalomalcia, a liquefaction of the brain. Symptoms include blindness, head butting and pressing, constant circling and ataxia, followed by death. Chronic low-level exposure in humans has been linked to esophageal cancer. The American Association of

Vomitoxin, chemically known as Deoxynivalenol, a tricothecene mycotoxin, is produced by several species of Fusarium. Vomitoxin has been associated with outbreaks of acute gastrointestinal illness in humans. The FDA advisory level for vomitoxin for human consumption is 1 ppm.

Zearalenone

Zearalenone is also a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium molds. Zearalenone toxin is similar in chemical structure to the female sex hormone estrogen and targets the reproductive organs.

Citrinin

Citrinin is a nephrotoxin produced by Penicillium and Aspergillus species. Renal damage, vasodilatation, and bronchial constriction are some of the health effects associated with this toxin.

Alternariol

Alternariol cytotoxic compound derived from Alternia alternata.

Satratoxin H

Satratoxin H is a macrocyclic tricothecene produced by Stachybotrys chartaru, Trichoderma viridi and other fungi. High doses or chronic low doses are lethal. This toxin is abortogenic in animals and is believed to alter immune system function and makes affected individuals more susceptible to opportunistic infection.

Gliotoxin

Gliotoxin is an immunosuppressive toxin produced by species of Alternaria, Penicillium and Aspergillus.

Patulin

Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by Penicillium, Aspergillus and a number of other genera of fungi. It is believed to cause hemorrhaging in the brain and lungs and is usually associated with apple and grape spoilage.

Sterigmatocystin

Sterigmatocystin is a nephrotoxin and a hepatotoxin produced by Aspergillus versicolor. This toxin is also considered to be carcinogenic. Other mycotoxins include – Penicillic acid, roquefortine, cyclopiazonic acid, verrucosidin, rubratoxins A and B, PR toxin, luteoskyrin, cychlochlorotine, rugulosin, erythroskyrine, secalonic acid D, viridicatumtoxin, kojic acid, xanthomegnin, viomellein, chaetroglobosin C, echinulin, flavoglaucin, versicolorin A, austamid, maltayzine, aspergillic acid, paspaline, aflatrem, fumagillin nigragilin, chlamydosporol, iscotrichodermin and many more. As previously discussed there are many mycotoxins that can cause adverse health effects and even death in humans. These synergistic effects of exposure to multiple mycotoxins simultaneously are very poorly understood. Even more poorly understood are the by-products of mycotoxin degradation, particularly under the influence of strong oxidizing agents such as sodium hypochlorite and/or ozone, agents frequently used or misused by hazardous materials personnel or remediation remediators in industry. More research is required in this field to better understand the relationship of fungal contamination, relative humidity, temperature and ventilation in fungal growth in buildings and on building substrates as they relate to disease.14

VOLATILE FUNGAL METABOLITES

During exponential growth, many fungi release low molecular weight, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as products of secondary metabolism. These compounds comprise a great diversity of chemical structure, including ketones, aldehydes, and alcohols as well as moderately to highly modified aromatics and aliphatics. Cultural studies of some common household molds suggest that the composition of VOCs remains qualitatively stable over a range of growth media and conditions. Furthermore, the presence of certain marker compounds common to multiple species, such as 3-methylfuran, may be monitored as a proxy for the presence of a fungal amplifier.14 This method has been suggested as a means of monitoring fungal contamination in grain storage facilities. Limited evidence suggests that exposure to low concentrations of VOCs may induce respiratory irritation independent of exposure to allergenic particulate. Volatile organic compounds may also arise through indirect metabolic effects. A well-known example of this is the fungal degradtion of urea formaldehyde foam insulation. Fungal colonization of this material results in the cleavage of urea from the polymer, presumably to serve as a carbon or nitrogen source for primary metabolism. During this process formaldehyde is evolved as a derivative, contributing to a decline in Indoor Air Quality.12

INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE TREATMENT

Many fungi, mycotoxins, and their VOC’s are at a level of detection within the human body that is very hard to determine at relatively low costs. Tissue samples of blood, urine and even direct organ/tissue biopsy will determine the presence of a fungi, mycotoxin and/or their VOC’s. To kill fungi and remove other substances it is necessary to look at a variety of treatment modalities. Current, anti-fungal formulations have been developed to address specific fungal infections. In many cases it is very hard for the healthcare provider and physician to determine what species of fungi was present that created what specific mycotoxin, which is a billion dollar revenue to the pharmaceutical industry.

In AIDS patient’s fungal infections have been observed in tissue biopsy reports to be growing within the tissue and this causes great health risks to the patient. The use of far infrared as a treating modality can address the electromagnetic spectrum in micron and micrometers (nano level), which would be an ideal choice, in treating fungal infected patients. The far infrared segment of the electromagnetic spectrum occurs just below, or “infra” to, red light as the next lowest energy band. This band of light is as the next lowest energy band. This band of light is not visible to human eyes but can be seen by special cameras that translate infrared into visible colors. We can, however, feel this type of light, which we perceive as heat. The sun produces most of its energy in the infrared segment of the spectrum. Our atmosphere has a “window” in it that allows infrared rays-in the 7 to 14 micron bands, with peak output at 10 microns.

Our tissues normally produce infrared energy for warmth and tissue repair. Tissue production of infrared energy is associated with a variety of healing responses. At times the infrared energy in our tissues may require a boost to higher level to ensure the fullest healing possible for tissue repair. Body tissues that need an infrared boost selectively absorb infrared rays, after boosting a tissue’s infrared energy; the remaining rays pass onward harmlessly. This phenomenon is called “resonant absorption.” Our bodies radiate infrared energy through the skin at 3 to 50 microns, with most output at 9.4 microns. Our palms emit infrared energy too, from 8 to 14 microns. Palm healing, an ancient tradition in China, has used the healing properties of infrared rays for 3,000 years. Yogis in India also employ palm healing and recommended it especially for relieving eyestrain.

An MPS Capsule from MPS, Inc. Seoul, Korea, which generates far infrared energy from special carbon fibers manufactured by Daiugin and high gem graded jade balls with far infrared proprietary technology; may be a future solution for individuals suffering from fungal infections. Its dome generates temperatures as high as 165oF and the spinal column area as high as 148oF. These temperatures are known to kill fungi and release VOCs that have a lower melting point, like benzene at 81oF.15, 16

The use of activated charcoal has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in their text, Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings, 4th Edition, in absorbing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are the same type of compounds found in fungal metabolites.17 Activated charcoal is made from burnt coconut husk. It is able to absorb at a minimum 35 % of the VOCs found in the intestinal tract from reabsorbing into the blood stream. It does not absorb in other areas of the body were VOC’s may accumulate, such as in the lungs, brain, liver and fat. Research conducted at the Korean Atomic Institute have shown that Kuh Sung YLS-95 (Trade Marks Bio-Oaky & Oaky Smoky) a liquid yielding high plant infrared, which is made from oak wood charcoal vinegar is highly effective in significantly reducing carbon tetrachloride in rats and ethanol in humans within one hour after exposure.18

CONCLUSION:

One could test the validity of how poisonous mycotoxins are by eating a handful of poison mushrooms, a species of fungus. However, it would be less fatal to realize that many forms of fungus produce mycotoxins, which are chemical substances that are toxic to man and other life forms. In addition, fungi produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may bind to fat within in your body and cause internal re-exposure to the toxic effects of these compounds. Current, integrative technologies in the health care area have produced far infrared MPS Capsules and Kuh Sung YLS-95 (Trade Mark Bio-Oaky & Oaky Smoky) that will kill fungus and neutralize VOC’s in other tissue organs within the human body respectfully. These technologies may be the answer to current biological weapons of mass destruction and the risk of exposure to biological pesticides by killing these microorganisms at micron (0.000,001) and nano (0.000,000,001) levels within our human body. Cellular detoxification and its remediation are on the break of a new horizon through terahertz, far infrared and subnano technologies.